Statistical Breakdown Offers Surprises

Tot Holmes

06/27/2008

Jeff Kent remarks about how difficult it is to learn when the be aggressive and when to be patient suggested a breakdown of the statistical departments that take into consideration the ability to reach base and thus eventually score. When five of those categories are combined, you find Furcal, Martin and Loney at the top of the aggregate lists.

Kent's remarks:
"In reality, it's a catch between patience and being aggressive. There is that fine line. There is a time to be patient and a time to be aggressive when you're an offensive player. There is a time to be patient when you're coaching, too. There are decisions to be made about your action plan. There is a time to be aggressive and take some action, because you can't wait too long.

?"As long as I have been playing, there has been that fine line. Coaches can say be patient, but in the same breath, they're saying (when the opposing pitcher) throws strikes early. How can you be patient when a guy throws strikes early? That's the catch, and it's hard."

This is the concept Torre has preached since he signed with the Dodgers.

So let's look at pitches per plate appearances, on base percentage, on base + slugging, runs created and runs created per 27 outs. We also total the individual categories to unscientifically rank the players.

Those who think Rafael Furcal's spring was an MVP effort weren't far wrong. He leads in three of the five categories, trailing only in the total runs created, since he played only 32 game, but during that time he created 34 runs, a remarkable 10.21 per 27 outs.

Andrew Jones saw more pitches per plate appearance than any one of the squad but finished 10th overall.

Russell Martin, as expected, was not lower than second in any category, leading he Runs Created chart with 48.4 and topped the overall ratings with 9 points.

Furcal was second overall with 14, leading in runs created per 27 outs, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging. James Loney was right behind him with a 19 rating.

So, how does the veteran Kent rank? Well, he is 11th among the 14 used in this study, ranking ninth in on-base plus slugging and runs created, 10th in pitches per plate appearance and in runs created over 27 outs, and 11th among the 14 used in his study in pitches per plate appearances.

The numbers are as of June 23 and the rankings could certainly change as the season progresses